Monasteries and churches in Skiathos

Many years ago, there were several monasteries on Skiathos. Most of them are destroyed or in ruins. Today, only a few remain, of which Evangelistria Monastery is the only one in operation.

Monastery Evangelistria.

Evangelistria Monastery is located in a lush valley about 5 kilometres north of Skiathos Town. Construction began in 1794, but it would take twelve years before the monastery was completed. Greece's first flag (a white cross on a blue background) is said to have been designed and woven in this monastery in 1807. Evangelistria is an impressive and fascinating monastery that no one should miss.

The beautiful courtyard of the Evangelistria Monastery.

Inside the monastery's church.

The church is very nice, but not as interesting as some of the neighbouring buildings. For example, there is a library with a large collection of books and an exciting museum. In the monastery shop you can buy local products such as wine and olive oil.

In the monastery shop you can buy local products such as wine and olive oil.

I don't know what this is, but I know I'm looking up when I take the picture. :-)

Panagia Kounistra on the west side of the island is smaller than Evangelistria and not nearly as interesting. The monastery was built in 1655 when a monk found an icon swinging back and forth in a pine tree. The holy (no longer swinging) icon is housed in the cathedral in Skiathos Town.

Panagia Kechria which looks like a cake.

Panagia Kechria is a small monastery that lies alone and abandoned in a beautiful valley in the northern parts of the island not far from Kastro. The monastery itself is not that special, the church itself looks like a cake, the holy icons have been moved to Evangelistria and replaced by copies.

The huge church bell outside Panagia Kechria.

The walls are black with soot from all the candles that have burned out over the years. The area around the monastery, however, is very exciting: the forest is so dense so the sun is barely visible, a trickle of water flows in a gully lined with several watermills. At an old stone bridge you can sit and listen to cicadas and gurgling water.

The worn ceiling of the monastery of Panagia Kechria.

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